A10 Tauern Motorway: Exit Closures in Salzburg from 10 July 2026

Anyone driving south on the Tauern Autobahn (A 10) during the summer holidays has had to reckon with important restrictions since Friday, 10 July 2026. The state of Salzburg is once again activating the exit closures along the A 10. The aim of the measure is to prevent detour traffic through numerous municipalities and to protect residents from traffic jams and noise.

The regulation applies until 13 September 2026, midnight, and is in force around the clock during this period. Unlike in the past, the closures are therefore not limited to particularly busy weekends. At the same time, the summer holidays begin in parts of Austria, in several German federal states, and in parts of the Netherlands. Traffic forecasts therefore predict increased traffic volume from Friday onwards on the A 10 heading south. Experience shows that volume increases further on weekends until early August.

Anyone additionally planning a stop in the city of Salzburg should also take note of the new access and parking rules for day trippers in July and August 2026. For details, see our article Salzburg: Access rules for day trippers in July and August 2026.

Where do the exit closures apply?

The exit closures affect the section between the city of Salzburg and Zederhaus in the Lungau region. In this area, drivers are no longer allowed to freely leave the motorway to bypass traffic jams and then return to the A 10 afterwards.

In principle, you may only leave the motorway if you are actually heading to a destination in Austria. This includes hotels, holiday apartments, campsites, excursion destinations, or private visits. Anyone who only wants to leave the motorway to bypass a traffic jam must stay on the motorway.

During checks, the authorities may require proof of your travel destination. It is therefore advisable to have booking confirmations or other suitable documents ready at hand. Depending on the traffic situation, police and authorities carry out corresponding checks.

Refuelling off the motorway remains permitted

There is an important exception for drivers who want to avoid the high fuel prices at motorway service stations. Anyone leaving the motorway to reach a petrol station outside the A 10 is pursuing a permitted travel purpose and may generally use the exit. The prerequisite, however, is that you actually refuel and that the exit is not merely used to bypass a traffic jam and then immediately return to the motorway.

Anyone refuelling away from the motorway can often save significantly and does not violate the applicable exit closures, provided that refuelling is the genuine purpose of the exit.

Town centres also remain closed to through traffic

In addition to the exit closures, through-traffic closures in several municipalities along the route apply once again. Affected areas include Anif, Grödig, Elsbethen, Großgmain, and Wals-Siezenheim.

Here, too, the authorities are pursuing the same goal: town through-roads should not be used as a detour route for transit traffic. In recent years, navigation systems repeatedly guided drivers through small towns whenever there were traffic jams on the Tauern Autobahn. For many municipalities, this meant considerable strain from noise, exhaust fumes, and congested traffic.

With the exit closures and the town through-traffic closures, the state of Salzburg wants to keep transit traffic on the motorway and improve residents' quality of life. The regulations were already used successfully at Whitsun. According to the authorities, the checks largely proceeded without major problems.

What does this mean for your travel planning?

Travellers heading to Carinthia, Italy, Slovenia, or Croatia in particular should take the regulations into account when planning their trip. Anyone without an actual destination in Austria may not use the closed exits. As a result, waiting on the motorway is often the only option during traffic jams.

Especially on holiday weekends, it is therefore advisable to allow enough time, follow current traffic reports, and bring enough drinks and food. This way, the journey can be undertaken much more relaxed despite possible delays. Setting off early and avoiding rush hours as much as possible remains one of the most effective measures.

Toll: What you should pay attention to

If you use the Tauern Autobahn, it is worth taking a quick look at the toll rules in Austria. On motorways and expressways, cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass (technically permissible maximum mass without occupants, field F.1 in the vehicle registration document) require a valid vignette. You can conveniently purchase the digital vignette in our online shop, for example via the 10-day vignette flat rate for Austria. If the technically permissible maximum mass exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette requirement no longer applies. Instead, larger motorhomes, trucks, and buses require a GO-Box for the distance-based toll.

On sections such as the Tauern Tunnel or the Katschberg Tunnel, additional distance-based toll or special toll applies. The vignette does not cover these sections. For details, see our guides on the Tauern Tunnel and on distance-based toll and special toll. For route planning and possible alternatives, our route planner can help. Before setting off, also check current traffic reports so you are not caught unprepared by traffic jams and checks.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a good drive through Salzburg and onward to the south. With a bit of advance planning, enough time buffer, and the right proof of an Austrian destination, you can reach your destination more relaxed even in the peak season. If you have any questions about the vignette and tolls in Austria, you can reach us at any time by email.

FAQ: A10 exit closures Salzburg summer 2026

From when do the exit closures on the A10 apply?

Since Friday, 10 July 2026, the exit closures on the Tauern Autobahn between the city of Salzburg and Zederhaus have been in effect. The regulation runs until 13 September 2026, midnight, continuously, not just on weekends.

Who may leave the motorway despite the exit closure?

Only those heading to an actual destination in Austria, such as a hotel, holiday apartment, campsite, excursion destination, or private visit. Simply bypassing traffic jams is not permitted. Proof may be required during checks.

May I exit the A10 to refuel?

Yes, if you are actually heading to and refuelling at a petrol station outside the motorway. The exit must not be used solely to bypass a traffic jam and then immediately return to the A 10.

Which towns are additionally closed?

In addition, through-traffic closures apply in several town centres, including Anif, Grödig, Elsbethen, Großgmain, and Wals-Siezenheim.

What applies at the same time in the city of Salzburg?

In July and August 2026, stricter access and parking rules for day trippers apply in the heart of the old town.

Do I need a vignette for the A10?

For motorways and expressways, vehicles up to 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass require a valid vignette. For tunnels with distance-based toll or special toll (such as Tauern or Katschberg), an additional corresponding fee applies.